Remotely controlled radio receiving system



March 31, 1936. I Q Pv LIEB Eg H 2,035,612

REMOTELY CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM Filed March 11, 1951 ll Sheets-Sheet l March 31, 1936. Q P BREICH I 2,035,612

REMOTELY CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM Filed March 11, 1931 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 IZO svwemto'c March 31, 1936; 5 R LIEBREI H 2,035,612

REMOTELY CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM Filed March 11, 1931 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 wwgmtoz 1936. o. P. LIEBREICH REMOTELY CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March ll, 1931 March 31, 1936. o. P. LIEBREICH REMOTELY CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM Filed. March 11, 1951 ll SheetsSheet 6 March 9 1936, o. F. LIEBREICH REMOTELY CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM Filed March 11, 1931 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 \bf r 2 0 6 579. 20.

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REMOTELY CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM Filed March 11, 1951 ll SheetsSheet 8- INVENTOR March 31, 1936. Q LIEBREEH 2,035,612

REMOTELY CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM Filed March 11, 1931 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 26 INVENTOR March 31, 1936. O p H 2,035,612

REMOTELY CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM Filed March 11, 1931 ll Sheets-Sheet l 8. INVENTOR Patented Mar. 31, 1936 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE REMOTELY CONTROLLED RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM 6 Claims.

This invention, like that disclosed in my previous application Serial Number 188,955, relates, generally, to remote controlled radio receiving sets or receivers for use in receiving and repro- 5 ducing music and voice transmitted from radio broadcasting stations, but more specifically to a system of remote control for alternating current operated radio receivers as used for instruction and entertainment in homes, schools, hotels, restaurants and other buildings.

Radio receivers used for detecting and rectifying the broadcast radio wave into music or speech consist of a radio receiver and a radio loud speaker. Such a receiver has three essential control 1 units, namely a means for putting the receiver into operation, a selector r tuning control for selecting the various broadcast stations, and a volume control for adjusting the set to produce sound of the desired volume for the loud speaker.

At present these controls are usually placed on a control board or panel placed on the front of the receiver for manual operation with the speaker built into the set or connected to it by leads. To control such a receiver, it is necessary to be Within easy reach of the controls on the panel 25 or if the operator chooses to take up a position remote from the receiver to take full advantage of sound waves emitted from the speaker, it is necessary to move close to the receiver to operate the controls.

Because of the lack of a better control of radio receivers the design,- operation and sales of receiving sets has been greatly handicapped. Since the receiver must be conveniently located, radio 3 receiving sets must be placed in expensive ornamental cabinets, considered as articles of furniture and as such must be small in size and handsome in appearance and are costly.

The operator of a radio receiver should at all 40 times take a position a little distance from the speaker to fully appreciate the tone and volume of the program. As the programs are changed or various numbers are played at the broadcasting studio, it is frequently necessary to adjust at 45 least one or" the primary controls. In the home where most receivers are used, it becomes vary irksome to be continually getting up or to remain close to the receiver to make the necessary adjust-ments to the controls for best reception with 50 the result that adjustment is often neglected, programs are not received properly and the set is operated at a disadvantage.

In homes, especially, it is very desirable to have the benefits of radio reception and convenient radio receiver control in a number of rooms. In-

dividual radio receivers in each room would result in prohibitive cost as well as radio interference and the inconvenience of panel control, therefore it is much more desirable to install a single radio receiver which can be controlled and adjusted from a number of points or control stations, located in various rooms, means being provided for connecting radio loudspeakers or reproducers,

It is also desirable to have only the selected loud-speaker connected when the remote control unit is attached to a control receptacle, with such connection made automatically without the additional manipulation of switches to cut out other loudspeakers in the system. It is also often desirable to thus automatically hook up various selected speakers in series, in parallel and in series-parallel combinations dependent on the size and acoustical characteristics of the room or group of rooms.

When a number of control outlets are provided in various locations in a home, it is an advantage to provide connections for lamps and other household electrical appliances and thus economize in the cost of the house wiring system. The control receptacles should provide attachment for 5 all control and reproducer circuits as well as current to operate the field of dynamic reproducers. Each control outlet or receptacle should provide a connection for a remote control unit for completely controlling the receiver which could then be placed in an out of the Way location such as basement or closet, saving space and making it unnecessary to house the set in expensive ornamental cabinets.

If an ornamental cabinet is desired, the radio set could be attached to any control receptacle which would automatically provide operating current for the set as well as antennae, ground and loudspeaker connections for the same. In this event, dual control could be provided whereby adjustments may be made either at the panel or at the remote control unit, each independent of the other. The set could also be turned on and off and stations tuned in automatically at any predetermined time by means of an electrically operated time clock in the remote control unit.

Provision can be made at the remote control unit to electrically record entertainments and also reproduce records, such as phonograph records, by means of microphones and electrical pickups connected to the remote control unit and operating through the amplifiers of the radio set and through the loud speakers of the remote control system. Television can also be picked up by the receiver and the images reproduced by a televisor connected to the remote control unit in any room, at the same time that programs are heard, both image and sound being controlled at the remote control unit. In this manner an entire stage play or talking moving picture could be fully reproduced in various locations in the home through this remotely controlled radio receiving system.

Heretofore, remote control devices for alternating current operated radio sets have been complicated and expensive and have only partially utilized the full utility and convenience of the art of radio reception and reproduction with the result that the advantages of radio reception are not fully enjoyed and the sales of remotely controlled radio receivers have been greatly handicapped. By the lack of a thoroughly comprehensive and practical system for the complete control of radio receivers from one or many locations distant from a central receiver, the application of radio reception to schools, hotels, restaurants, apartment houses and private dwellings has been greatly delayed since radio reception is primarily intended for homes and residences, the application of this invention should greatly stimulate interest in homes, in architecture and in the real estate business generally.

For the above reasons and many others the present methods of remotely controlling radio receivers are unsatisfactory, uneconomical and inconvenient.

Therefore, it is the object of my invention to provide a comprehensive system for the complete remote control of radio receivers, which will be convenient, satisfactory and inexpensive,

It is a further object to provide a system of remote control for alternating-current operated radio receivers whereby the essential operations of tuning adjustment, volume adjustment and starting and stopping the operation of the receiver, may be performed from one or several points remote from the receiver and. within' the limits of the system.

It is a further object to provide a control system whereby an alternating current operated radio receiver may be controlled from one or several points, distant from the receiver, to adjust the tuning of the receiver to various radio wave lengths or broadcasting stations, to adjust the volume of sound emitted from a loudspeaker or sound reproducer connected to the receiver, and to put the receiver into and out of operation by controlling the operating current circuit to the receiver.

It is further an object to perform the above mentioned controlling operations from a number of locations or rooms of a building provided with a number of loud speakers which are connected to a radio receiver, in such manner that only a preselected speaker or preselected speakers, emit sound when the receiver is being controlled from a given location or control station.

It is a further object to provide a system of remote control for radio receivers whereby a receiver may be attached to any one of a number of receptacles or stations, to make antenna, ground, loud speaker and operating-current connections to the receiver, and whereby the receiver may be controlled by a control unit attached to any other one of said receptacles or stations.

It is a further object to provide a remote control system and apparatus for same, whereby the above mentioned receptacles provide attachment and control for loud speakers as well as attachment for electrically operated appliances.

It is a still further object to provide a system of remote control for a radio receiver and apparatus for the same, whereby any or all of the above mentioned objects may be noted as well as the following: To provide a remote control unit connected to a receiver whereby controlling operations are performed with low voltage current; to provide illumination in the various indicators; to provide a pilot light in the remote control to indicate the condition of operation of the receiver; to provide a tuning indicator in the remote control unit to indicate the adjustment of the tuning unit in the receiver; to provide a luminous tuning indicator in the remote control unit to indicate when the receiver has been tuned to a predetermined wave length; to provide means in the remote control unit whereby the tone or pitch of the sound emitted by a loudspeaker or signal reproducer attached to the output circuit of the receiver, is adjusted; to provide means whereby the tuningof the receiver may be adjusted by a manually operated control in the remote control unit; to provide automatic tuning of the input circuit of a receiver to vari-- ous frequencies, by means of controls in the reby means of a momentary contact control switch in the remote control unit and an automatic switch at the receiver; to provide progressive automatic-station tuning of the receiver; to provide pre-selected automatic-station tuning of the receiver; to provide silent tuning of stations intermediate the automatically tuned stations; to

' mote control unit; to provide automatic tuning provide an electrically operated time clock in the remote control unit; to provide an electrically operated time clock for controlling the operation of the receiver at predetermined intervals of time; to provide a time clock in the remote control unit for controlling the tuning of the receiver at predetermined intervals of time; to provide an interlocked tuning control switch in the remote control unit whereby only one tuning control circuit can be completed at any one time; to provide means in the remote control unit whereby the reproduction of phonograph records may be accomplished through the receiver and the remote control system, and whereby sound may be recorded on records; to provide means in the remote control unit whereby images transmitted or broadcast, by radio, such as television, may be received by the radio receiver and pictured by a device, such as' a televisor, attached to the remote control unit; to provide receptacles whereto the remote control unit may be connected to perform the above mentioned controlling operations as well as the automatic connection of selected loud speakers connected in series, in parallel and in series parallel; to provide the above mentioned receptacles whereby the radio receiver may be connected to the remote control system and whereto various telephone speakers and electric appliances may be simultaneously or individually attached; to provide means whereby when the remote control unit is disconnected from any of the above receptacles, the radio receiver is automatically disconnected from its source of operating current; to provide means whereby the radio receiver may have dual controls at the control panel of the receiver or at the remote control stations; to provide control of volume of sound rendered by the signal reproducer connected to the receiver, from a control in the remote control unit by regulating the performance of the radio-stage or input circuit of the receiver; to provide tuning adjusting means at the radio receiver whereby the receiver may be tuned by controls in the remote control station, to provide braking means, friction drive means, tuning indicator-control means, automatic tuning means and silent tuning means at the receiver and in operative association with the tuning means of the receiver; to provide a radio remote control system as above described whereby low voltage control currents are obtained from the common current supply for operating the radio receiver, the same obtained by means of step-down and step-up transformers; to provide an electromagnetic non-rotating type tuning-actuating motor, with speed control means for regulating the rapidity of the tuning adjustment; and to provide a radio remote control system of the class i .escrioed, which can be readily applied to any radio receiver.

With the above objects in view, and others which will be detailed during the course of this specification, my invention consists in the method and in the parts, features, elements, and combinations thereof hereinafter described and claimed.

The accompanying drawings show for the purpose of illustration several of the many possible embodiments the present invention may take, it being understood that the drawings are illustrative of the invention rather than limiting the same.

In the drawings, like parts are indicated by like numbers, and

Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram of a remote control system for a radio receiver adapted to be operated on alternating current, parts of the radio receiver being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary diagram illustrative of a modified motor control diagram, the motor being adapted to operate on direct current.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary diagram of a modified control switch for dual panel and remote control.

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram or" a modified remote control system for radio receivers adapted to be operated on alternating current, parts of the radio receiver being omitted.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a radio remote control system as installed in a dwelling.

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of a radio remote control system as applied to a dwelling.

Fig. 7 is a more detailed wiring diagram of the loud speaker circuit of the radio remote control system shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a view showing the front of a detachable plug receptacle indicated in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation along A-A of Fi 8.

Fig. 10 is a view showing the back of a detachable plug receptacle, with parts removed.

Fig. 11 horizontal section through 13-33 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a view showing the front of a special detachable plug receptacle indicated in Fig. 7.

Fig. 13 is a vertical elevation section through a detachable plug adapted to be attached to receptacles indicated in Figs. 5, 6, '7, and 8.

Fig. 14 is a view, partially in section, of a detachable plug and receptacle indicated in Figs. 5, and 6.

Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of a modified tuning indicator and control adapted to be used in Fig. 4.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a modified system of an alternating current radio remote control system, parts of the radio receiver being omitted.

Fig. 17 is a plan View of a remote control unit indicated in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is an elevation, partially in section, of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a detail View of tuning control indicated in Figs. 16 and 18.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail view of control button indicated in Fig. 1'7.

Fig. 21 is a plan view, partially in section, of tuning unit indicated in Figs. 1 and 16.

Fig. 22 is a sectional elevation through Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a sectional elevation through the cam disc shown in Figs. 21 and 22.

Fig. 24 is a View of a modified form of cam contacts of Figs. 21 and 22.

Fig. 25 is a view, partially in section, of a modified form of tuning unit actuating means.

Fig. 26 is a View, partially in section, of a modified form of tuning unit actuating means adapted to be used in Fig. 16.

Fig. 27 is a sectional view at A-A of Fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is a schematic diagram of modified tuning and control means adapted for use in Fig. 29 is an enlarged view of tuning indicator contacts shown in Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of remote control unit.

Fig. 31 is a schematic and diagrammatic view or" a modified form of alternating current operated radio remote control system, parts of the radio receiver being omitted.

Fig. 32 is a detail view of one of the detachable receptacle terminals of Fig. 31 and adapted for use in Figs. 5, 6, '7, and 8.

In carryin out the present invention it is conemplated that the radio remote control system will consist of a radio receiver unit, a loud speaker or other reproducer unit or units, a recontrol unit, control receptacles and plug attachments and the necessary wiring and circuits to operatably connect the various units. It is further contemplated that the radio receiver will have a suitable housing or cabinet which may be placed in any desired location and which will enclose the transformers, inductances, rectifiers, vacuum tubes, tuning tmits, resistances, i'eactances, bypass condensers, filters, chokes and such wiring which is customarily placed in alternating current operated radio receiving sets, together with the tuning operating unit, cable connections and such wiring as is required to operatabiy connect the various elements of my invention.

In the drawings, for convenience, a conventional radio set is indicated with many of the minor parts omitted. Alternating current for operating the radio set is supplied to terminals ill and M, Fig. l, and is conducted by wires i2 and 53 to contacts as and 55 of relay R. Since the supply current is usually taken from the alrating current lighting circuit, the pr --ary mding of a transformer i6 is connected to supply wires i2 and E3, to provide a supply of low voltage current to operate the various controls. The low voltage current is conducted by a flexible cable to a remote control unit, to be later decribed, and requires a lighter insulation than the higher voltage supply wires. This wiring iagram is similar to my previous patent apiication Serial Number 188,955, except that Fig. l is modified for alternating current operation.

Pilot switch H is closed to complete a low voltage circuit from wires 18 and 18 through switch ll, wires l9, l9 and 2E, relay coil 2| and wires 22 and 23, back to the secondary winding of transformer E6. As the circuit is completed, the relay armature 24 closes contacts l4 and I4 and i5 and i5 respectively, thus connecting the radio set to the current supply and operating the radio receiver, the various transformers, resistances, condensers, inductances, etc., for properly energizing the tube filaments 25 and for supplying the proper tube grid and plate currents and voltages, not being shown in Fig. 1 but shown in more detail in Fig. 16.

As the relay contacts are closed and the current supply is connected to the radio tubes, transformers, power units, etc., current is automatically supplied to a reversible motor by wires 21 and 28 indirectly connected to relay contacts l4 and i5. This motor operating through gearing 29 and friction wheels 3o turns the tuning condensers 3! to adjust the radio set to receive various broadcast wave lengths and thus tune in various broadcasting stations. The field windings of motor at are adapted to remain in circuit with the supply current and the armature caused to rotate in the desired direction by connecting a condenser or resistance connected to a central terminal 32, to either side terminal 33 or 34. To prevent the higher voltage alternating current from flowing to reversing switch 35, two condensers 36 and 31 are connected by wires 38 and 39, 38' and 38, 45.1 and it, switch 4! and wire t2, to central terminal 32.

Reversing switch is provided with a system of contacts mounted on spring blades insulated from each other and as shown in Fig. 1. -As push button a3 is depressed, contacts 25 are opened and contacts ill closed, thus connecting the capacity of condenser 36 to central terminal 32 and causing the motor armature to rotate in a given direction. As push button 4 3 is depressed contacts at are opened and contacts 48 closed, connecting the capacity of condenser 37 to the central terminal 32 and thus causing the motor armature to rotate in the opposite direction. In this manner, the tuning condenser 3| is operated from the remote reversing switch 35. It will be noted that as either push button is depressed, the opposite set of contacts is automatically broken due to the cross connected blades 49 and 5%, so that a short circuit is prevented if both push buttons are simultaneously depressed.

Fig 2 shows a two-circuit modification of this electrically interlocked switch applied to a conventional type of motor 5| with brushes 52 and 53, field winding 56 and current supply terminals and 583. As push button 43 is depressed, contacts d5 are broken and current from terminal is caused to flow through field coil 54 of the motor into armature 5! through brush 53, out through brush 52 and back to terminal 56. As push button 44 is depressed, current enters the armature 5! through brush 52 causing the armature to rotate in the opposite direction. As the push buttons are released the circuit is broken by the spring blades, thus stopping the rotation of the motor. Should both push buttons be depressed simultaneously, contacts l5 and 46 are opened cutting ofi the supply current from terminal 55 and preventing short circuit. This motor can be operated from either alternating or direct current, preferably direct current obtained from an alternating current supply by means of a tube or dry rectifier as shown in Fig. 28.

The tuning condenser friction wheel 30 is provided with adjustable cams 51 adapted to engage spring blade 58 having contacts 69 connected across the normally closed switch 4 l, by wires 59 and BI. With contacts 60 closed and switch 4| open, as the armature of motor 26 turns friction wheel 36, cam 51 engages with spring blade 58 and opens contacts 6!], now in series connection with wires 49 and 42, thus stopping the rotation of the motor. With proper adjustment of cams 5'1, the motor will stop exactly when a preselected station has been tuned in thus automatically tuning any station desired. To move the tuning condensers to tune in another station, one of the push buttons of switch 35 is depressed simultaneously with push button switch 62 which short circuits contacts 60, completing the motor circuit to center terminal 32. In this manner radio broadcast stations can be automatically and progressively tuned in from a remote point, it being unnecessary to skillfully manipulate the push buttons 33 and 44. Figures 16 and 28, to be later described, indicate how stations can be automatically tuned in by a single brief contact of one button, how any automatically tuned station can be preselected without progressively tuning in intermediate stations and how the exact tuning in of any preselected station is automatically indicated by a light flashing on in the remote control unit, as well as silent tuning of intermediate stations.

When tuning in radio stations from a remote point it is necessary to provide an indicator at the remote point which will indicate the position of the tuning condenser and thus indicate the wave length or station corresponding to the adjustment of the tuning condensers.

In Fig. 1 a resistance 53 is provided with a movable contact arm 64 adapted to be rotated as the shaft of tuning condenser 3! is rotated, and connected by wires 85 and E5 to one terminal of a volt meter 66, the other terminal of which is connected to pilot switch ll. As switch H is closed, low voltage current is also supplied to resistance 63 as well as lamp Ell adapted to illuminate the dial of the indicating meter 56 and to also act as a pilot light to show when the receiving set has been turned on. As the tuning condenser is rotated, contact arm 64 is moved over resistance 63, conducting to meter 58, the amount of current which resistance 53 has allowed to now to the contact point on arm 64. Thus the volt meter 66 will indicate the drop in voltage at various positions of the contact arm indirectly indicating the position of the tuning condenser 32. Thus the pointer of the indicating meter in the remote control unit will continuously follow the adjustments of the tuning condenser and indicate the wave length to which the condenser is tuned, the indicating meter at the remote control unit performing the same function as a tuning dial on the conventional panel controlled radio set.

The volume of sound emitted from the loud speaker I03 of the receiving set is normally controlled by a resistance 58, operated from the panel (not shown) of the radio receiver, which is connected through relay contacts 69 and It to antenna coil ll, antenna Ila and screen grid l2 of the tubes in the radio amplifying stages. As the contact arm 68 of resistance 68 is rotated, varying portions of antenna and tube grid currents are shunted to the grounded contact arm 68 thus controlling the volume by regulating the radio input to the receiver and also controlling the quality of sound emitted. In Fig. 1 only one of the tubes 25' is shown, the tube filaments of the radio stages, detector and audio stages being indicated at 25, and in series connection. As pilot switch I! is closed, thus closing relay armature 24, contacts 59 and 10 are opened and antennae 'H and grid 12 automatically connected to resistance 13 at the remote control point through wires 14, M, i5 and 75. The volume is similarly controlled at the remote point by adjustment of the grounded contact arm 13 of resistance '53. Thus the essential controlling operations for any radio receiver are performed from the remote control unit at a point distant from the receiver. Further additional controlling operations, such as tone control and various tuning operations as well as television and recording, will be later described.

It is often desirable to have silent tuning in between various preselected stations during the tuning operation. This is accomplished by closing switch 89 so that one side of the volume control is grounded, by wire 82, leading to ground contacts 5 silencing the radio receiver while the tube filaments are still in circuit. As cam 51 lifts spring blade 58, it also separates contacts 8|, thus opening the grounded connection and restoring the normal operation of the receiver, at which time the volume of sound emitted by the loud speaker may be adjusted by the remote volume control arm 13 in contact with resistance 73.

Visual, as well as audible, indication of the automatic tuning in of a broadcasting station will be later described in connection with Figs. 16, 24, and 28.

Switch T4 is normally operated at the panel of the radio receiver and, when closed, it completes the current supply circuit from terminals l9 and I I through the tube filaments 25 and power units not shown, thus putting the radio set into operation without the necessity of closing pilot switch ll at the remote point. This is dual panel and remote control of the radio receiver since the volume can be adjusted at either point as already described and, due to the friction wheels 39, the tuning can also be adjusted at the panel inde pendent of tuning motor drive by means of a tuning knob not shown. To facilitate complete dual control of all three essential controls, a novel radio switching arrangement is shown in Fig. 3. Switch i4 is replaced by switch i i operated from the panel but placed in the low voltage circuit carried by wires |8, I9, 29, l1, l8, and 19 as before. Switch Ha at the remote point is connected to switch 14' by a third wire 15 and i5, both switches being provided with a center terminal for wire it and i5 so that one of the outside terminals is always connected to the center terminal by a spring not shown. Thus it will be seen that if the radio receiver is turned on from the panel by switch it, it may be turned oif at the remote contrcl point by switch l'la, or vice versa.

In Fig. 1 terminals ll are intended to be terminals of a detachable multiwire plug receptacle, all wires units above terminals Ti lead to the radio receiver 5, Fig. 5, while all wires and units below terminals T! are in a cable '1' connected to a portable remote control unit 9 of Fig. 5, the wires i8, i9, 39, 38, :4, 15', etc., leading from terminals l! to the remote control units, constitute wires of a flexible multiwire cable '5 connecting the remote control unit 9 with the detachable plug 5. As the plug is withdrawn, it will be noted that wires i8 and !8 will become disconnected, thus opening the relay armature contacts and assuring that the tube filaments 25 are disconnected from the filament current supply and that the radio set is off. In the wiring diagrams the various resistances, reactances, by-pass condensers, filters, chokes, etc., are not shown, to simplify the drawings.

Fig. 4 illustrates a radio remote control system similar to that of Fig. 1 incorporating modifications intended to simplify and reduce the cost of remote control for a complete home installation such as indicated by Figs. 5, 6, and 7. Radio energy is brought to radio frequency transformer 89 after which it is amplified in the usual manner by tube 8|, transformer 82, detector tube 83, audio transformer 84 and audio tube 85, the now audio frequency impulses being delivered to speaker or telephone terminals 86. Tuning condensers for the radio stages are shown at 3|, other parts such as grid leak and condenser, filter and by-pass condensers, resistances, chokes, power tubes and other power and filament supply units being omitted in the drawings since the present invention relates more specifically to a system of remote control of any radio receiver.

Alternating current terminals I9 and II supply electrical energy to the primary winding 88 of transformer 89. When switch H is closed the current is completed from secondary winding 99' through wires 9| and 9|, switch wires l1, l8 and |8, primary winding 92 of transformer 93, and wire 99a, back to secondary winding 90 of transformer 89. As this circuit is completed, primary winding 88 induces an alternating current in secondary winding 99 which, passing through primary winding 92, causes current to be further induced in secondary winding 94 of transformer 93. This current is conducted by means of wires 95 and 96, and filament supply units not shown to the filaments and heaters 25a of tubes BI, 83, and 85 of the radio receiver. The transformers are so proportional that the high voltage current at terminals l8 and H is reduced to a lower voltage by transformer 89 which current is conducted to the remote control switch I! after which it is again stepped up by transformer 93 to a higher voltage suitable for operating the conventional radio receiver as indicated. Wires 95 and 95 may be provided with a socket into which a conventional alternating current receiver can be plugged in as indicated at unit A in Fig. 31. Both transformers may be constructed on a common frame as a single unit, or transformer 93 may be dispensed with and the low Voltage current of transformer 89 utilized directly to operate the radio receiver provided the various electrical units of same have been designed and constructed to operate from the reduced voltage. In this event the filament control will be similar to the previous patent application already mentioned. Thus the remote control cable in which wires 9| and I8 are located preferably conduct low voltage current permitting of less insulation and a lighter and smaller cable.

Secondary winding 94 also delivers current to a motor 26 connected to tuning condensers 3| and to movable contact arm 64 of resistance 53, which, in turn, is connected into the low voltage circuit by wires 63' to operate a tuning indicator 66 in the same manner as described in Fig. 1. The resistance 63 may be connected across the high voltage feed wires 95 and 96 if desired. Motor 26 is operated by remote control switch connected by wires 91, 98, 99, 97', 98', 99, 21, 28, and 42 to condenser I00 in the same manner as Fig. 1. Also pilot light 61, connected by wires I (ll, IOI and I02 is illuminated when pilot switch IT is closed to indicate at the remote point when the receiver is operating.

A loud speaker [03a is connected to the terminals 86, the volume of which is controlled by a variable resistance I04 connected by wires Hi5 and 95 and located in the remote control unit 9 together with switch ll, tuning indicator 66, pilot lamp 6'! and motor reversing and control switch 35. As the resistance lilfi across the loud speaker terminals 86 is decreased, the volume will be decreased and vice. versa, so that the volumeof the loud speaker may be controlled as desired; 7 The speaker Wm may be connected to the remote control terminals H or located at the remote control unit 9 as the speaker I03 shown by dotted lines. In this latter position it may be provided in the form of portable telephone receivers or a miniature loud speaker. Again, the radio energy may be collected directly by the power wires instead of the antennae 'H' by means of antennae condenser E66 connected to one of the power wires HE. A slightly modifier and preferable tuning indicator is shown by Fig. 15, which may be inserted into Fig. 4 withoutchange of wiring. A pointer 66 is attached to an open ring pivotally mounted to rotate the electromagnetic fields of coils 66' and 66, the common connection of these coils being connected to wire l1. As the movable arm 6G is rotated over resistance 63, the magnetic fields of coils 66 and 66' are varied in relation to each other causing the pointer 66 to move over the scale and thusindicating the position of the tuning condenser. The parts of the indicator may be adapted to operate as a motor to replace motor 26 in the receiver and controlled by resistance 63 placed in remote control unit 9.

Connections 11 of Fig. 4 are terminals of a detachable portion 18 of a multiwire plug receptacle 19 to be later described with wires l2, l3, 9!, I8, 65, ml, 91, 98, 99, and I05 incorporated in a multiwire cable 8 leading to the receiver 5, as shown in Fig. 5. Current is brought to receptacle is from the house lighting circuit by conduit 3 leading to further receptacles l9 and receptacle 8'! to be later described. When plug '18 is'inserted into receptacle 79 which extends through cover I5I of outlet box l5il, all remote control connections are made as well as the receiver operating currents supply connections to terminals Ill and H. Conduits 2 and 4 are arranged to conduct the speaker and control circuits, respectively, to additional receptacles 6'9 with a further extension of current supply conduit 3 to the same receptacles. Cable 3 contains wires leading to current supply terminals 1c and II.

Referring again to Fig. 4, it will be seen that to adjust the essential controls of the receiver from a remote point, it is necessary to bring only wires 9i, i8, 65, Illl, 9?, 98, 99 and N5 in cable I from terminals l? to the detachable plug 6 and remote control unit 9 of Fig. 5. Hence, when plug 6 is attached to any receptacle, such as is or 19, the remote control unit is capable of controlling the receiver since control wires are incorporated in conduit 6. At the same time a loud speaker 503 may be operated from the same receptacle 19, since loud speaker wires are incorporated in conduit 2. Again, since current supply wires are incorporated in conduit 3, it is possible to plug in a reading lamp I or other electrical accessory at the same time remote control unit 6 is connected to this receptacle. This will be termed a universal control socket to more clearly describe the function of the system. Special receptacle Bl of Figs. 5 and 12 is provided without control connections so that loud speakers and electrical attachments may be plugged in separately or simultaneously, or the current supply connections may be utilized to electrify the field coils of dynamic speakers, the usual speaker connections being used to operate the voice coil of same.

Since control, loud speaker and current connections are provided at all receptacle :19 or 79, the plug 78 attached by cable 8 to radio receiver 5 may be plugged into any receptacle such as at and the receiver controlled from any other receptacle, such as i9. This system is ideally suite: for home installation and its operation together with novel plug receptacles for same, will be described forthwith.

A typical plan of a house ifil' is shown in 6 with speaker, control and current supply circuits 2, i, and 3, respectively. Various combinations of universal control sockets l9 and special sockets 87 are shown, making it possible to provide one or more loud speakers automatically connected in series, in parallel or in series parallel, as desired.

In Fig. 6 various rooms are indicated, such as living room, dining room, kitchen and also an outside porch, with radio receiver 5 located ill closet IE8 and connected by means of cable 8 and plug 78, to universal control socket its. Puemote control unit 9 is connected by means of cable I and plug 5 to universal control socket l as located, for example, in the dining room and connected by speaker circuit 2, to special sockets H2 and H3, and to speakers M5 and 5M, respectively. Since all the universal sockets, such as 39, are connected with current supply circuit 3, the radio set 5 receives its operating current. Its radio current is received from the current supply circuit through the self contained antennae condenser M36 as indicated in Fig. 4 already described, thereby utilizing the house wiring system as a radio antenna and as a ground connection. In like manner control circuit s and speaker circuit 2 are connected to all universal control sockets so that the receiver 5 may be plugged into any one of same such as its, and be controlled from any other, such as l iii, automatically putting into operation the desired speakers, such as l I 5 and 5 l5, with provision for connecting additional speakers or lamps and electrical devices to other sockets, such as Hi and H3. Sockets H6 and i ll automatically connect speaker Hi3, socket l2! connects speakers H3 and i2 1 and socket H9 connects speaker 125, circuits 2, 3' and 4 being extended to additional floors and chambers as desired.

It is desirable to provide speakers l M, l 55, and H8 in the form of combined radiator and radio speaker cabinets, as indicated in my previous application Serial No. 188,954 entitled Loud speaker cabinets.

To better illustrate the operation of this remote control system and the apparatus pertaining thereto, Figs. 7 to 14 will now be described.

The universal control receptacle i9, Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11, consists of an insulating base E25 provided with a series of holes with spring contacts secured therein, the contacts having terminals to which connection can be made. The entire unit is provided with a plate E26 and cover 5 2?. Spring contacts I29 in holes 128 are adapted to be connected to the control wires of control circuit 4 by means of the terminals protruding through the plate I25. Spring contacts I33, I34, and I35, in holes I30, I3I, and I32, respectively, are adapted to be connected to the speaker circuit 2 by means of terminals protruding through plate I 26, and in a manner to be later described. Contacts I33 and I35 are extended to form additional contacts I36 and I3I, respectively, located in central aperture I38. Apertures I39 are provided with spring contacts I40 extended beyond insulating base I25 to form screw terminals I4I to which are connected the current supply wires of current supply circuit 3.

Remote control plug 6, Fig. 13, consists of an insulating base I44 provided with a central stud I45 adapted to enter aperture I38 and electrically connect spring contacts I35 and I3? and is so shaped to hold the plug into the receptacle. Prongs I33, I34, and I35 are adapted to engage with spring contacts I33, I34, and I35, respectively, prongs I3 and I34 not being shown. Prongs I33 and I34 are connected by remote control unit cable I to volume control I34, Fig. 4, located in remote control unit 3. These prongs may be omitted in plug 5 when other volume control methods are used, at which time a loud speaker I33 may be used at a universal control socket simultaneously with plug 5.

Base I44 is also provided with cover I35 and with prongs I23 adapted to engage with spring contacts I29. All or the prongs carried by insulating base I44 are provided with terminals I4: adapted to be connected to the proper wires of cable I leading to remote control unit 9.

Special receptacle BI, Fig. 12, is provided with speaker contacts I43 and I43 adapted to be connected to the proper wires of speaker circuit 2.

Current supply terminals I4I are adapted to be connected to the current supply wires of circuit 3. In this manner a loud speaker and electrical units may be connected separately or simultaneously to receptacle 8?.

In Fig. 14 plug I3 is shown connected with universal receptacle 79, which is assembled with the usual form of outlet box I having cover plate I5! Plug 3 may also be inserted into receptacles I9 and 8? and receptacle 8! may a so be mounted into outlet box I53. Armored cables 2, 3 and 4' contain the various wires of circuits 3, 3, and 4, respectively. Cover IZI is provided with extensions I52 and I53 to isolate circuits 2 and 4- irom current supply circuit 3 carried by conduit 3 and thus comply with underwriters regulations pertaining to such conditions.

Plug I3 provided with cable 3 leading to the radio receiver 5 is similar to plug II in every detail except the current supply terminals I54 are provided to engage with contacts I43 of universal control receptacles I39, H3, III, H5, H1, H3, and I2I of Figs. 6 and 7. When plug I8 is inserted into any of the above receptacles, the radio receiver is automatically connected to the source of operating current and also provided with radio energy from the antenna. The construction of both plugs 8 and I8 is such that it is impossible to incorrectly insert same into the receptacles. Also stud I45 of plug I8, not shown, may be of nonconductin material so that, when it is inserted, the spring contacts I36 and I3I are not electrically connected and the loud speaker current from the set is fed to the loud speaker circuit 2 through prongs I34 and I35, prong I33 being used as a synchronizing stud and is not connected to a set terminal 11. Since spring contact I33 then receives no current, loud speakers, connected as shown in Fig. 7, will not be a stud similar to short circuited or injured when receiver plug I8 is inserted into any of the universal receptacles.

With radio set plug I8 attached to closet receptacle I33, Figs. 6 and 7, the loud speaker terminals 33, Fig. are automa lcally connected 5 to loud speaker circuit 2, more clearr shown as wires I55 and I55 in Fig. '7, in wh. h parts are located similar to Fig. 6. With remote control plug 6 attached to living room rece, acle IIO, stud I45 oi plug 6 automatically connects 10 prongs I36 and I32, thereby connecti only '0 speakers H4 and IE5 into the loud speaker circuit exclusive or all other speakers in the installation, and in series with each ot ear. The corn nection is made from wire I5I. by means of con- 15 tacts I35, I31, I35 and I33 oi receptacle IE3, wire I57, contact I43 of receptacle speaker wire I58, speaker winding H5, speaker wire I53, contact I48, wire I53, contact I 3 oi receptacle H3, speaker wire I3I, speaker coil I I, speal wire I52, to wire I55 of circuit. When plug 6 is connected to the speakers lid and H5 are auto connected into the loud speaker circuit and n series with each other by means of connecting 25 wires I53 and I33. When either III? 0' III is used, additional speakers may be connected in parallel with speakers I I i I i 5, such as III shown attached to receptacle times the current supply contacts receptacles may be utilized for plugg. vacuum cleaners, electric heater, and c trical attachments.

the spe- In Fig. 7 either receptacles and Ii may be used to automatically hook up speaker E'IS with the option of one additional speak r in parallel with II Receptacle IIZI auto connects in series only speakers an. receptacle I22 used as a special speaker and lamp connections. R automatically connects only speak-e speaker circuit wires I55 and exclusive of all other speakers, any of which, however, may be manually and separately connected by i I I-5 in aperture receptacle which controls the speak Although the loud speaker, or r cults indicated carry only the pulses ng A actuating or audio currents, the rent for dynamic reproduc rs may obt from the alternatin current carrying I 45, or additional terminals may be provides. receptacles I9 and 3? to accor speaker armature current When house lighting current contacts magnetizing the field of dyna speak. the alternating current type may be used or a sup of direct current may be obtain d from root ing tubes or dry metallic rect each speaker or at a central poin the 0 "mote radio for 55 receivers, shown in more detail than. in and 4. In these and in the following figu numbers indicate like parts.

lid, with current supply terminals I may be inserted into current supply cc of receptacles I3 and 3'? previously The radio receiver operating current is con .te by wires I2 and I3 to primary winding step-down transformer induc a lcr e age alternating current into secondary w ing 93.

Control switch II puts the radio receiver into operation and completes the low voltage circuit to primary winding 92 of transformer 93 wherein current is induced into the various secondary windings 9 3, I95, I93, I91, and I98, respectively, supplying current for the tuning motor 25, radio amplifier tubes 8|, 8I and detector tube 83, tube plates, rectifier tube I94 and audio amplifying tubes 85. The radio circuit consists of radio amplifying stages, detector stage, audio stages, loud speaker, radio frequency transformers, tuning condensers, inductances, resistances, wiring and other parts usually found in alternating current receivers. All parts above the receptacle contacts 11 are preferably located in the radio set and parts below are located in a flexible multiwire cable attached to remote control unit 9.

Feed wire I93 is led from the secondary winding 99 of transformer 89 to an electric time clock I92 interconnected with control switch l1 and to be later described. Push buttons 53 and d4 of electrically interlocked motor reversing control switch 35 cause motor to operate worm gearing 29 on motor shaft 25 and friction drive 39 and condensers 3! on condenser shaft 3! similar to Figs. 1 and 4. In Fig. 16 the parts intended to operate together are connected by dotted lines. When one of the push buttons 88 is depressed, the 'motor turns cam wheel I9 and slightly revolves friction arm I98 on an extension of motor shaft 26', closing contacts I85, which short circuit contacts Hit of control switch through normally closed switch I83. Contacts 69 in the middle leg of the motor circuit are normally closed until one of the cams 51 lifts spring blade 58, at which time the motor circuit is broken and the broadcasting station is automatically tuned in. The contacts of relay I15, to be later described, are held open at this time by closing switch I18. As the motor armature stops rotating, spring blade contact I 86 opens and moves friction arm I88 to a neutral position. Thus only a momentary pressure on the push buttons is required to start the motor since contacts I86 and I81 will then maintain the circuit to operate the motor in the proper direction. Stations can be progressively tuned in automatically by a slight pressure on either push button after each cam action.

Friction arm I88 is provided with a spring loaded plunger I89 having a shoe in frictional engagement with motor armature shaft 25, and is located in spring contact frame I90 attached to the motor frame or other support. Friction arm I88 acts as a static and dynamic brake to quickly stop the motor at the exact tuning adjustment when the circuit is opened since, at the instant the motor circuit is broken, the spring blades move the friction arm into the neutral position opposite to the direction of rotation of the motor armature.

When switch I83 is opened, the motor is operated by constant pressure on the push buttons and quickly comes to rest as soon as either contacts I84 or I85 of control switch 35 are separated. This makes it possible to manually tune in stations, such as distant stations, which are not located by the automatic cams. Friction arm I88 operates as a brake at all times and small condensers 35 eliminates the radio interference caused when the contacts of switch 35 are separated.

The friction driven cam wheel I9I is mounted on condenser shaft 3|, which operates all the tuning condensers 3|, shaft 3! being provided with extension 64 adapted to move contact arm 54 in engagement with resistance 53. As in Figs. 1 and 4, the movement of contact arm 64 operates tuning indicating meter 66in remote control unit 9. In addition to pointer 55, indicating meter 56 is provided with contact arm I1I adapted to be rotated by knob I1I, more clearly shown in Figs. 17, 18, 28, 29, and 30.

Contact arm IN is provided with a fine contact wire E12 adapted to engage with contact I13 on indicator pointer I86 as the pointer moves over the graduated scale of the tuning indicating meter. In Fig. 16, with double pole switch I83 closed and switch I14 open, when it is desired to preselect an automatically tuned station, the pointer I1I is moved to that station on the graduated scale and the proper push button of switch 35 is depressed momentarily. The motor will start and will begin revolving the tuning condensers in the proper direction. Friction arm Hi3 will maintain the circuit until tuning indicator pointer has made contact with selector arm H5, at which time a circuit will be completed from secondary winding I98, through lamp 81 in series with relay I15. Relay I15 will open the short circuit across contacts 69 slightly in ad- Vance of the time when the proper cam 51 opens contacts 68 to stop the motor and exactly tune in the desired station. Previous to this time, contacts 59 have been short circuited by relay contacts E15 and intermediate cams 51 had no eifect. Lamp 51' is preferably colored to distinguish it from pilot light 51 so that, as soon as the colored lamp lights, it will indicate that the desired preselected station has been automatically tuned in and will act as a luminous station tuning indicator. Lamp 61' also regulates the amount of current passing through relay I15. Switch I14 is normally closed when manual tuning of distance stations or momentary contact progressive automatic tuning of stations is desired. Thus, by setting selector arm I1I, any preselected station may be automatically tuned in and in addition all other stations will be silent, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 24, together with a luminous indicator indicating when the tuning operation has been completed. Electric time clock I92 is arranged to automatically tune in stations at various times, as will be shown in more detail in Figs. 17 and 18.

The volume control, Fig. 16, is similar to Fig. l but is shown in more detail. The broadcast radio wave is picked up by antenna H or is obtained from the lighting circuit through condenser and is amplified by radio frequency transformers 89, 89, and 92, and by radio frequency tubes 8t and 8! of the screen-grid type. One side of primary winding I15 of radio transformer 88 is connected by wire 1 to the screengrids of tubes 8! and 8! and to volume control resistance lii l in remote control unit 9. By regulating the resistance of volume control I94, at the remote control unit, the amplifying characteristics of the radio stage tubes is altered and at the same time part of the antenna current is effectively by-passed to the ground. This alters the amplification of the radio stages as well as the output to the dynamic speaker I99, the voice coil of which is connected to output transformer 85a and the armature coil connected to rectifying tube 59 thus regulating the volume of sound emitted from the loud speaker or speakers. This method of remote volume control has been found free from squealing, hum or other radio interference principally because one side of the radio circuit is at ground potential through ground resistance id; and because condenser I11 acts as a by-pass of interference surges to the ground.

It has now been demonstrated how the essential controls are performed from any point remote from the radio receiver. Time control and tone control as well as phonograph and television controls will be now described.

In Figs. 16 and 17, terminals I78 and I19 are provided for electric recording and reproduction of phonograph records. Terminal I19 is connected to wires 20I and 20! leading to a grounded connection on the radio set. Terminal I18 is connected by wires I8! and I8I' to the grid of detector tube 83. A microphone, not shown, may be connected to phono terminals I18 and I19 in remote control unit 9. Electrical impulses are transmitted to the audio stages, amplified by the audio amplifier of the radio set and transmitted to receptacle 19. The terminals of a recording device, not shown, may now be attached to the speaker terminals of receptacle I9 and the sound entering the microphone passes through the amplifiers and will be recorded on a suitable record, tape or film. To reproduce the record, a pick-up device, not shown, may be attached to the phono terminals of the remote control unit. The recorded sound waves will now be amplified by the audio stages of the radio receiver and reproduced by the loud speaker, the volume being regulated by volume control I04. In a similar manner television may be reproduced at the remote control unit by attaching a televisor, not shown, into telev terminals I79 and I80, terminal I89 being connected by wires I82 and I82 to audio transformer 84.

Since this system of remote control for radio receivers provides loud speakers and reproducers in a plurality of rooms, it is necessary to provide a tone control or modulator for the receiver to regulate the tone and compensate the acoustical deficiencies of rooms. These deficiencies manifest themselves as excessive reverberations from bare rooms or absorption by dramries and carpets. Tone control is also advantageous in reducing the effects of static, since it is a well known fact that static occurs at frequencies above or on the top of the usual 5,000 cycle audibility range of the receiver. By attenuating the amplification of the high frequencies, the audibility of static discharges is thus materially reduced and, in radio-phonograph combinations, it is effective in reducing or eliminating the unpleasant needle-scratch, which also occurs at the higher frequencies.

A resistance 293 is provided in remote control unit 9 connected by wires 282 and 202' to a condenser 200 connected to the last or output stage of the radio receiver. The fixed condenser has a tendency to by-pass the higher audio frequencies. By varying resistance 203, this bypassing effect is varied. As the resistance is decreased, the by-passing effect is increased and there is a greater accentuation of bass register and vice versa. As a result, the tone can be altered to suit the acoustics of different rooms and to modify reproduction to suit either music or voice to greatly enhance the enjoyment of radio dicator light 61 are provided with different colored signal lenses or bulls-eyes 61a and 611) respectively, with phonograph and television terminals appropriately indicated. The tuning control push buttons 43 and 44 are provided with piano key type operating levers 43' and 44, respectively.

Fig. 20 illustrates these levers in more detail and they are provided as an added convenience to facilitate the operation of the push buttons. levers 43 and 44 are each provided with a rounded fulcrum 288 at one end adapted to rest on case 205, and with a depression adapted to fit over the push buttons. A flanged stud 206 protrudes into the case and is held by coil spring 291. The levers provide a mechanical advantage in operating the push buttons and also provide a more restful surface to the fingers of the operator.

Integrally mounted pilot switch I I and volume control rheostat I04 are adapted to be automatically operated by a time clock I 92, shown in Fig. 18, mounted in a common unit 2 II) with tuning indicating meter 6'6, unit 2I9 being provided with a dial 2I I and transparent dial cover 2I2. Clock I92 is an electric clock and preferably of the motor-wound spring type which will keep on running when the remote control unit 9 is temporarily disconnected from the control receptacles, although the synchronous type may be used. Clock i92 is provided with mechanism, not shown, similar to that found in the well known alarm clocks, adapted to turn pilot switch IT on and oif at predetermined intervals by extension shaft I'Ib operating cam Hut. The time at which clock I92 operates pilot switch I! to turn the radio set on or off, is adjusted by key stems I92a' and I921), respectively, the stems engaging with gears I920 to turn the small marked indicators on the dial and set the clock mechanism, not shown. As the pilot switch is thus operated, volume control rheostat I84 is also operated to regulate the volume as desired. An adjustment, not shown, is provided by which the sound emitted by the loud speaker is brought to the desired volume. An automatic volume control in the set maintains this degree of volume.

Time clock I92 is also adapted to automatically tune in preselected stations at predetermined times as indicated by the conventional hands passing over the markings on dial 2I I. Case 2I0 is provided with cams .3a and 44a on shafts 43b and 440, operated by clock mechanism, not shown. Shaft 44b is hollow to receive extension shaft Ill). The clock mechanism is provided with a mutilated gear 2I4 engaging gear 2I6 frictionally mounted on extension 2|! of tuning selector arm I'II. Gear 2M is provided with a clutch 2I6 by which it can be manually disengaged from the clock mechanism when clock tuning is not desired. The teeth of mutilated gear 2 I4 are arranged in accordance with the desired time sequence various stations are desired. An additional mutilated gear, not shown, is adapted to swing selector arm III to various positions, and at the same time, cams 44a and 44b operate the proper contacts of tuning control switch 35. The contact on tuning indicator pointer 66', in conjunction with friction arm I88, already described, automatically opens the tuning motor circuit when the desired station is tuned in at the proper time. Various time and station selections are obtained by changing mutilated gear 2| 4. Selector arm knob I'II can be adjusted independently of the clock mechanism by means of the frictional mounting of gear 2I5. 

